My Nightmare of Pain

I took a little nap before the draft so I would be rested and fresh.That plan backfired as I had a dream of drafting the likes of Coco Crisp,Jay Payton and Marcus Giles.........Dont get me wrong they are all solid players but not for Fantasy Champions........Heres a breakdown of how really I did.

ALL in all I think I did OK.........Allthough my whole draft strategy went out the window when Reyes fell to me at 11.......I did have a back-up plan but even that didnt include getting Reyes in the first round........My first pick was going to be Crawford so geting him in the 2nd was a bonus.......Russell and Hafner just kinda fell to me and after that I just filled the holes.......Marmol and Damon were not in my plans but the guys I had targeted for those rounds 11-12 went off the board so I panicked.......The next 3 rounds I had to get SP so I looked at my cheat-sheet and circled everyone that might get 200 Ks.......Bronson,Brett and Oliver........Hmmm.......Next I went with my sleepers of Lastings and Eva and looking back I could have done worse........After that I just winged it and tried to get Holds and some young players allthough why I picked Giambi is beyond me........I love the Manny Parra and Tony Pena picks.........

1 ) Hanley Ramirez -- controversial for the 1st overall pick, but I like the speed/power combo at a rare position.2 ) BJ Upton -- a 20/20 guy at 2B after Utley and Phillips were gone. I like to fill out my infield.3) C. Granderson -- couldn't pass on him at this point. 25/25 potential.4 ) D. Lee -- I expect 40 HRs from him as he recovers from his injuries.5) F. Rodriguez -- I like to fill in my closers before worrying about starters and he was the best on the board at the time.6) T. Saito -- filling in my closers7 ) R. Zimmerman -- growth years. I expect big things in the new hitter-friendly park in WAS.8 ) C.B. Young -- a bit of a stretch here if his BA doesn't improve, but clear 30/30 potential.9 ) V. Wells -- due for a bounceback year after injury.10) F. Liriano -- my first SP. Injury risk. Big upside if healthy.11 ) J. Shields -- underrated starter.12 ) AJ Burnett -- good if healthy.13 ) H. Bell - solid Middle reliever for Holds. Potential Saves if Hoffman falters.14 ) H. Blalock -- age 27. Coming off injury. 30 HR/100 RBI potential15 ) G. Sherrill -- my last closer after a big run on them.16 ) J. Varitek -- I suppose I need a catcher. He walks a lot which helps in this format.17 ) J. Upton -- big gamble. Hoping for some speed here.18 ) I. Snell -- solid starter. Good stats, bad team.19 ) O. Hudson -- filling my MI position.20 ) M. Bradley -- loads of talent. 2cent brain. Starting the year at DH.21 ) P. Neshek -- solid MR for Holds. Potential Saves if Nathan gets traded.22 ) R. Sexson -- bounceback year.23 ) O. Dotel -- MR for Holds.24 ) B. Bonser -- Who wouldn't want a guy named Boof on their roster? I expect a big year. Finally in shape.25 ) J. Sanchez -- 5th starter for SF? I drafted him for the 1 strikeout per inning.26 ) E. Velez -- speedster at a MI position. Late round SBs27 ) J. Bruce -- probably starting in the minors. Could be a good pick. Could be a bust. Dusty Baker is the wildcard.28 ) J. Kubel -- continues to grow after injury season in 2006. Could easily hit 25+ HRs.29 ) J. Duchscherer -- loads of talent. Last season ruined by arthritic hip. SP or RP -- averages about 1 strikeout per inning.

Overall I was happy. I filled my offense early and made sure I had 3 solid Closers and Middle Relievers. I took some talented pitchers with good supporting stats -- although they may not get much support from their teams. Like all seasons, time will tell if my gambles work out or not.

Yea, kinda strange. I had decided to take either HRam or Reyes as my number 1 pick. I just wanted to get away from ARod for some reason. I had no idea that by picking HRam I would end up seeing Reyes fall all the way to 11th.....strange.

This was my first Roto Draft and my first one on TSN so I had no clue about anything. However, my team did not end up being that bad. Now the tough part is managing a roto team.

1 Cabrera, Miguel (DET) -----------------Everything points towards a great year 2 Bedard, Erik (SEA) -------------- Last year's numbers could not be ignored3 Teixeira, Mark (ATL) ------------ Great half in Atlanta last year plus he is in a contract year4 Abreu, Bobby (NYA) ------------ not that happy but he was the most complete OF out there5 Verlander, Justin (DET) ----------- Cy young candidate with great upside in all categories6 Cano, Robinson (NYA) ---------- Not proud of picking another Yankee but Kinsler went before my turn7 Halladay, Roy (TOR) ---------- I didnt mean to pick him. However, having one of my bluejays can not be that bad 8 Corpas, Manuel (COL) -------- Had to pick him with all top notch closers gone9 Young, Michael (TEX) ---------- Went with him over Renteria only because Renteria sucked in the AL10 Sheffield, Gary (DET) ---------- Needed to fill those OF positions. He has a combination of speed and power.11 Hamilton, Josh (TEX) ---------- If spring training tell anything, this guy will have a monster year in Texas12 Gordon, Alex (KC) -------- Needed to fill my MI position and he was the option with the most potential13 Soriano, Rafael (ATL) ------- Needed another closer. Poised for a big year. 14 Bourn, Michael (HOU) ------- I felt that I got my slightly more powerful Pierre about 30 picks later.15 Lidge, Brad (PHI) -------- Another closer with tonnes of potential 16 Towles, J.R. (HOU) --------- Digged deep to get the best catcher available17 Betancourt, Rafael (CLE) --------- Will get Hlds and perhaps the chance to close if Borowski sucks as usual.18 Lugo, Julio (BOS) ------------ I hate this pick19 Willis, Dontrelle (DET) ------------ If he does good, great. If he does not , oh well20 Shields, Scot (LAA) -------- more Hlds with good numbers21 Ankiel, Rick (STL) --------- 30 HR potential that late is great22 Maybin, Cameron (FLA) --------- Trying to catch lightning in a bottle23 Carpenter, Chris (STL) ---------- Could be a steal if he returns in the second half24 Bonds, Barry (SF) ----- He is Barry bonds..... if he signs25 Greinke, Zack (KC) -------- Always had the stuff, could this be the year?26 DeRosa, Mark (CHN) ---------- Plays lots of positions27 Duncan, Chris (STL) --------- I'll take 30+ HR potential this late any day28 Garza, Matt (TB) --------- Remember this pick29 Turnbow, Derrick (MIL) ---------- Tonnes of SO and chance to close if Gagne blows up again.